Phrasal Verbs Flashcards
STAY ABREAST OF sth/sb
stay abreast of sb/sth
- To continually stay updated about the most current information about someone or something.
Ex.: There are so many software vulnerabilities that it’s difficult to stay abreast of them all. - To keep pace with someone or something.
Ex.: Charlie finished the race in second place because he could not stay abreast of the winner.
KEEP UP WITH sth/sb
- To remain informed and knowledgeable about something, as by closely following the latest developments.
Exs.:
It’s so hard to keep up with the news these days, especially when a huge story seems to break every day.
It’s my job to keep up with the most recent developments in the tech sector.
- To remain near someone or something by moving as fast as them or it.
Exs.:
I was surprised that I managed to keep up with Janet on our run.
There’s no way your clunky little station wagon can keep up with a sports car like mine!
CATCH UP WITH sb
- Of friends or relatives, to update one another on life events that occurred since the last time seeing each other.
Exs.:
It was so lovely catching up with you; it’s been years since we were last together!
You and I must really catch up with each other sometime soon.
- To move faster in order to reach someone or something who is moving in the same direction.
Exs.:
The red car caught up with the blue one.
Bill caught up with Ann, and they walked to the bank together.
LOG (sb) ON TO (the internet, the computer, etc)
To access a digital account or network, typically by entering personal credentials; to log in.
Ex.:
I’m having trouble logging on to my computer, so I haven’t had a chance to check my email yet.
I will log you on to the system if you forgot how to do it. I will log on Jill, who is late.
FLIT FROM sth TO sth
To move quickly from thing to thing.
Exs.:
I’m sorry, I have to go inside—there are just too many bees flitting from plant to plant out here!
You wouldn’t make so many mistakes if you stopped flitting from job to job and really focused on what you were doing.
OWE sth TO sth/sb
- To be obliged to give or pay something back to someone or something else.
Exs.: I owe a new bike to David because I got his run over by a street cleaner.
We owe about $1,500 to the bank for the loan we used to pay for our wedding.
- To attribute one’s possession or acquisition of something to someone or something else.
Exs.: I truly owe my happiness to you—I love you so much.
The country owes its wealth and global influence to the vast mineral reserves buried in its hill
TONE sth DOWN
= to make less vivid, harsh, or violent; moderate
= to cause something to have less of an impact on the senses of sight or sound;
= to lessen the impact of something prepared for public performance or consumption.
This is rather shocking. You had better tone it down a bit. Tone down this paragraph.
CHARGE (sth) FOR sth
to set a price in payment for sth
You are charging too much for this. You really shouldn’t charge for it at all.
GIVE sth AWAY
to give sth for free; to donate sth to sb
I gave the old clothing away to Tom.
I gave away my coat to Tom.
ATONE FOR sth
To take responsibility and accept the consequences of one’s mistakes or misdeeds; to make amends for an error.
You must atone for the bad things you have done.
I atoned for my sins before I started going to church again.
I think she’ll forgive you if you just atone for your mistake.
OWN UP TO sth
To admit or confess (to sth).
Everyone knows you’re responsible, so it will look better if you just own up right now.
Tom finally owned up to eating my burrito.
POP IN(TO) (some place)
to come or go into some place (such as a store, shop, etc.,) for a moment or to a person’s home for a quick or casual visit.
I just popped in to say hello.
I need to pop in the office to pick up some documents.
REIN sth/sb IN
to bring sb/sth under control;
to slow down sb/sth
Fred is getting out of hand. The boss undertook to rein him in a bit. The boss is trying to rein in Jane’s enthusiasm.
DOUBLE AS sth/sb
To serve two separate purposes or in additional capacity.
Because we’re understaffed, I have to double as receptionist and file clerk right now.
You wouldn’t know from looking at it, but this sleeping bag actually doubles as a poncho.
COME BY
- To visit someone: I told them to come by for dinner some evening.
- To pass into a region: A nice breeze came by and the campers felt cooler.
- To gain possession of something; acquire something: We don’t know how our neighbor came by all that money.
- To find something: Really good movies are hard to come by.
